Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

— The meet of Sir WatkIn Wynn's hounds at Whit. church on Saturday was an excepti >nail7 jar„B one and included the Duchess of Westminster Los d Ilugh Grosvenor, the Duke and Due La -s of Teok (visiting at Combermere Abbey) s.,dLord KenJon. Mr GeorgeC-rWli, We-st had tbemis. foitune to spr.iiu the mmces of his spine, and he was taken to Eaton Ihl1 in tne Duehess of West. muiBtei s motor car. A party of ladies in a con- veyance a so had an unpleasant experience Th« horse reared and both shafts snapped off, and the T? ?,°h!d "lth the dangling Fortnt nately the ladies were unhurt. The Agricultural Annual nd Marie Lane Exwe,s Almanac* n now in its e!,ve ;:h )6ar, af/has made such great strides in p pul,rny thafc ib one of the loremo.st of it, kind and is a worthy offspring of its parent, tlo Mark Lane Express, which, by the way, ce'ebra ed its 8 -ventieth birtli- day this year. In form the Annual is similar to "m^buVweThtak^ wiH t SI is aPo" Tb7tS tt,'e b ttQ than ^fore^d tnat it is aliov-t-toer tuo heat f .;■>«* J, tnat it is aliov-t-toer tho heat f .;■>«* series-which is saying s gooJ deal. 1 ho vauons specially writ- ten article^, by expe.ts on it, ubjeo s treated are as readable and useful aw ve uh, lists'of societies have been brought np-fo-d. have also the various tabu s, whilst s..y»r.l new ■■— f temn., Eire Ewre me c i, ban before 'and* prevIOus ytais.

J. H. WILLIAMS, MADOC HOUSE, HIGH STREET, TOWYN. HAIRDRESSER. J. H. W. begs to announce that he has opened the above premises as a Hairdressing Saloon and solicits your patronage. He has had long experience with Sweetman's, Liverpool, and other firat-class professors. Ladiea' Tails and Wigs made to order. Satisfaction guaranteed in all branohes.

With this issue we have pisasare in presenting our usual sheet almanac. To-day we wish our readers a prosperous and happy New Year. The year we have now left behind us has been one in which events of more than usual importance have occurred. For some folks it has been one of prosperity; for others a year of loss and sorrow. But that is enevitable in every year. Looking baokwards from the broader standpoint, we find much for which as a community forming an atom in a great Empire we have every reason to be thankful. The year 1902 brought us Peace, and, after passing through a period of profound sorrow consequent upon the death of Queen Victoria, and a later period of deep anxiety occasioned by the illness of King Edward, we Rejoiced in the Coronation of our King, ales rejoiced also in the installation of the Prince of Wales as Chancellor of the University of ales in May, when His Royal Highness wasjgivena hearty welcome to the Principality. Towyn did not 8no^ a P^perous season as usual, but still ings might have been worse. With the New Year c .me fresh hopes and aspiration?. The water supply is to be improved, a series of military encampments will be formed, and everything Points to a year of increased prosperity. *#* feLI he Dolgelley Board of Guardians have decided to advertise for successor to the Jate Dr Lloyd, Medical Officer of Barmouth. Discussion arose as to the necessity of greater care being exercised with regard to the more expensive sorts of medi. eine, and some of the Guardians wanted to make a Contract when a new officer was appointed, but, the Clerk said that the Local Government Board would not permit snch an arrangement. *#* Mr A. Clendon, the headmaster of the Dolgeliey County School, writes correcting a statement which appeared in the report of his speech on the occasion of the prize distribution. In a note on the subject We wondered how Mr Clendon came to look upon science as a "dead" thing. We are glad to find Mr Clendun holds no such opinion, but on the con- trary has the highest regard for science. Our reporter had either misunderstood Mr Clendon's remark, or inadvertantly fallen into error in tran- scribing his shorthand notes. *11: A sad case was before the Dolgeliey Board of Guardians at their meeting on Saturday. It was that of Peter Williams, a private of the Welsh FuBiliers, who took part in the relief of Pekin after the Boxer troubles. He is now in an asylum and the medal he won lies in the hands of the Guard- ians, he being a paUper patient. An application as been made to the War Office for a pension for him and we understand that authority will consider the question when Williams is well enough to be discharged from the care of the asylum authorities. "If: The Earl and Countess of Powis are the guests of Lord Kitchener in Indip, where they have gone to attend the Durbar. Stories of Kitchener of Khartoum's" methods are already finding their way across the ocean. He has a great objection to ke lionised, and his movements may not unfre- qnently be classed as unexpected. For instance lie Was expected to board the P, and O. steamer, which was to take him to India, in the canal at Ismailia, and eager watch was kept by the passengers. He did not, however, put in an appearance there, but boarded the ship from a small launch wear Suez, and was not recognised till he was oa board. One lady immediately rushed at him, exclaiming: How do you do, Lord Kitchener ? I mot you at a garden party at A member of his staff came along at once. Beg pardo*, sir, will you sign this letter for the post at Suez ?" tind his Ex- cellency with a bow, disappeared. His greetings to the officials who met him at Bombay were very much to the point; not "Glad to make acquaintance," and so forth, bat" I ST,ALI IN" the forts at o'clock," or I shall be round to see you this afternoon," &c. Huge crowds assem- bled at the Bombay Yacht Club in the evening in hope of seeing him, but his Excelienoy did not appear on the lawn of that renowned lesort, and great was the disappointment. As was to be expected, speculation is very keen as to ths successor of the late Primate. Very few of those who consider themselves qualified to act as prophets seem inclined to go outside a circle of three. These are the Bishops of Ripon, Winchester, and Rochester. They are all likely men, but it is said that the last-named is the one who is most likely to go to Lambeth. The Bishop of Winches- ter is sure to have the first refusal of the Primacy. Dr. Davidson is undoubtedly one of the strongest, if not the strongest, of the present bench. In many ways Dr Davidson would be an excellent Archbishop. He knowa how to role with a firm hand, and at the same time to be pleasant about it. He represents, as nearly as it is possible for any one man to do, the present state of opinion among the greater mass of Churchmen, and, wLiiH an undoubted courtier, there is a, touch of the demo- crat about him which hn.? always secured him the popularity of the workiug classes in the districts with which he has been connected. oj!; Mr Chamberlain's mission to South Africa gives promise of great things. He went out with the good wishes of both political parties, and his arrival at Durban was maiked by scenes of wonderful and remarkable enthusiasm, and his journeying since has been the cause of similar demonstrations. The Colonial Secretary appears also to have struck .the right chord in h:s speeches, and we trust much good will come of hL visit. His success or failure will depend on the knowledge he gains of ¡factE! relative to the many questions agitating the public mind in our old and new South African colonies, and the manner in which he uses them in evolving an equitable and coherent scheme for the govern- ment of the new colonies, and for the amelioration of the existing racial troubles. There is no doubt that not only the people at home but also the people of South Africa are looking hopefully for- ward, and we trust their expectations will be realised. *#* Christmas has come and gone, and as usual the Post Office has had a busy time. We learn that Christmas cards have been more numerous than usual. In the Landon district no less than 6,500 extra men were employed, the preference being very properly given to army reservists and ex- soldiers returned from the war. The heavy work begau on Saturday the 2Cth December, when be- tween noon and 7 p.m. three heavy foreign and colonial mails came from the Cape, from India, China, and Australia, and from the United Scates and NAW Zealand, f.Ko nmriKw ,f f,yB nf Tns¡,ils brought by tha three mails being nearly 3,300. These weia fotlowed by the arrival of a heavy mail from the United Spates on Sunday, the 21st. Another mail of nearly 1,700 sacks arrived on Christmas-eve. The Christmas mails to placea abroad were heavier than ever. The mail for Ceylon, India, and China despatched on the 5th December consisted of seme 600,000 articles, as compared with 580,000 in the corresponding mail of 1901. 1 he mail to Australia consisted of nearly 1,000 sacks instead of the average 600. The mail to New Zealand numbered 400 sacks, instead of the average 200. The mail to the United States in- creased to 2,550 s-acks, instead of the average 300. V The conclusion of puace materially affected the South African mails, as was indeed, only to be expected. Last year the South African Christmas mail consisted of 1,900 sacks, containing some 850,000 articles; but this year's mail was 1,800 sacks only, containing some 660,000 articles. Parcels too were fewer, owing to the return home of so'many of the fcraopg. During the period from October 25 to December 20 the number of parcels despatched to places abroad was 420,300 as against 520,000 daring the same period last year, but last year's total included 171,000 ad- dressed to soldiers in South Africa, while this year the estimated number to South Africa is 31,600. The Christmas parcel mails from abroad were very heavy, and the work of clearing them through the Customs required the employment of Customs officers at the Mount Pleasant parcel office continuously night and day from Monday the 15th December until midnight on Saturday the 27Lh December. The number of parcels collected into Mount Pleasant parcel office during the week end. ing December 24 from the area over which its cellections are made (the East Central and West Central postal districts) was 477,920. Last year during the same period the collectors brought in 442,000 parcels. In addition to this, during the same week some 540,000 parcels were received at the Mount Pleasant office from the country and some 500,000 from the other London parcel offices. Including tha parcels received from abroad, the total number of parcels dealt with at the Mount Pleasant office during the week was something over a million and a half. *#* A Welsh national convention had been summoned to meet at Caroiff next week to consider the future policy of the Principality in connection with tha administration of the Education Act. To meet the convenience of Mr Lloyd-George and ot.h.:r Welsh members who are expect.ed to attend it has been resolved to postpone the meeting until January 20 h. A large number of delegates have aheady besm appointed. Early in the last century betting was more rife than it is now. Men betted on every coa cc-ifable sport and pastime. Nearly every crick, t match of which record exists was for 500 or 1,000 guineas a side. At every cock-fight (says tb3 Badminton Magazine) there was a great deal of wagering; people backed horses as they do now (except, as it appears, usually for much larger sums than are now betted), and very often odds were laid and taken about the result of a day's shooting. In an old magazino devoted to sport, published in 1825, there is an account of what took place at Hatfield on September 1 in that year. The then Lord Salisbury bette-Jd Sir John Sebright chat he would name four gentlemen who would kill 100 brace of partridges in a day. It was specially stipulated that each of them was to use one gun only, and this must have been rather au important provison for considering how long it took to load the gun it would have been a great convenience to have a second weapon managed by an attendant.

■ FUNERAL OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. The funeral of Archbishop Temple took place on Saturday at Canterbury, amid demonstrations of sorrow and sympathy, and i* the presence of a large representative gathering of Churchmen and others. Shortly before noon, the procession left the cloisters and entered the Cathedral by the great West door, and as it passed up the nave the choir sang the opening sentences of the service. A wreith sent by the Queen was placed on the coffin, behind which walked Mril Temple and her two sons and the other mourners, followed by representatives of the King and Queen, the Prince of Wales, and other Royal personages, both the Prime Minister and Lord Salisbury being also personally reo presented. The procession having passed into the choir, the service proceeded, and at its close the coffin followed by the mourners, was borne through tbe North Tt-Anaept door to the Cloisters, where the interment took plaoe in a brick grave in the open space on the North side of the Cathedral ad. pining the .Palaee garden. Memorial sei vices were simultaneously held in St Pant's Cathedral and St Saviour s, Southward References to the lift; and work of the deceased Primate were on Sunday made in Canterbury Cathedral by Bishop 1 Walsn in the marning, and in the evening by the Bishop of Exeter, as well ItS jia many churches in London and the Provinces.

TOWYN VOLUNTEERS. ANNUAL PRIZE MEETING AND DINNER. « auuud! shootiaK meeting and dinner of h Company, 5th V.B., S.W.B., was held on Boxing Day. The prizes were as usual generously provided by the tradesmen of the town, and were competed for on the Penllyn range. The weather was somewhat unsatisfactory, but a large number of the members attended and good scores were made. The results are appended 200 YARDS. L-Cpl W. P. Jones 20, smoker's companion; Sergt-Inst Lichfiald 18, razor and strop L-Cpl D. L. Lewis 18, cycling stockings; L-Cpl W. Jones 17, le* of mutton Pte W. Parry 16, couple 0f fowls| P.e H. Jones 16, pair of slippers; Pte M. Edwards 14, pocket knife; Pte D. A. Edwards 14, silver- mounted pipe; L-Cpl J. Morris 14, 2owt. coal; Clr- T W'FC™R,'?J'WNA1R/'S 13' EHAVHLG MUG and soap • Pte J. G. E.Iib 13, lib. tea; Pte G. H. Arthur 12 50 cigarettes; Cpl R. I. Daniel 12, walking stick Pte A Lewis 12, coupie of raboitg Pte D. W. Smith 12, 2 tins fruit; Pte J. Ed w.n d, 11, 2 bottles pickles. 500 YARDS. Sergt-Insc fLichfield 20, smoking jacket; L-Cpl D. L. Lewis 18, pipe in Caae; L Opi W. P. Jones J8 hat; Sergt E. H. Da, iel 17, bottle of port; L-Cp, W. Jones 17, cyrliug stockings; L-Cpi J Morris 15, couple of fowls; Pte G. H. Arthur 13 slippers; Pte J. S. Hughes 12, razor; Pte J. Owen 12, shoulder of mutton 5 Corpi Fl. Newell 11, slinsr; Pte B. R. Jone< 11, nes; Pte A. Lewis 11 pocket diary; Pte H. Evan, 11, lib tea; Pte H. JS7. £ KSteH- "■ cig"eltM' Pte J. G. Ellis 10, stick. AGGREGATE. Sergt.-Inst. Lichfie'd 38, £ 1 5s. • L-Cpl W P Jones 38 sucking pig; LC,! 1). L. Lewis'36', electro-p.ated tea-pot; L-CP1 W. Jones 34, bottle brandy; L-Cpl J. Morris 29, S lbs. tea; H. Jones 27, pipe; Sergt E. H. Dri-nial 26, g..fs umbrella; G. H. Arthur 25, black putties; J. S. Hughes 23, sleeve links; J. G. Ellis 23, value 5s.; Lewis 23 toilet bottle; M. Edwards 22, pipe- Col-Sere^ Edwards 22, penholder; D. A. Edwards 21 iof! stand; W. Parry 21, cigarettes; J. F. Edwards 20, n 9nT ?T]1 2°- °aSe ^rals; J. Owen 20 beef; BR. j.nej 19, tea; R.Richards 19, tea; H. Evnns 16, c mso'a ion prize In addition, Lhe winner* of the Commanding Officer s prizes in cash, f„r combined attendant at dril and average of the firing in das,, W6re suited. Toe list nas already app^red. The winners of the silver spoons in connection with the weekly practices were also presented \i'h their prizea. IN THE EVENING the dinner was held at the Co: bett Arms Hotel. It was pre u.ed over by Lieut II. A. Kirkby, now of the regular forces, bit foi m,rly an officer of the de- tachment. C.pt K. W. Kirkby, who is st 11 suffering W, A' 18 the^wounds he sustained if the roep,'u>"attTi?d. vided by Mr and Mrs La-imer, to which full j'ustloe* the meeting being in every way a success. The loyal toast3 were given from the chair and duly honoured. Olr.-Sergeant Edwards, in an excellent speech proposed The Officer commanding (Oapt E. W. Kirkby) and Officers past and present." Lieut Kirkby read a letter fioai tha Command- ing Officer, it; which he asked the members to do all they con Id o -upport ho Company. He pointed out that although there were many -esignations in (iincrent p-uts of the country that every considera- tion would be given in dealing with the difficulties in Con j ing oai; the new regulations in each locality. He urged upon the members the neceesity of each man doing his best to secure an increased membership. Mr Wm. Rowlands responded to the toast of The honorary members," priven from the chair coupling with it tha name of D-- Mur.-ay Jones, R.N! The following was the programme rendered: Song, Dolly Cray," Pte H. Husrhes; song," LJwyn- on," Mr J. Townlsy Jones cornet nolo, Bandsman Rees Francis; song, Mr J. E. Jotio,, Aberdovey; recitation, "Light Brigade," Mr R. Jones- song, Far, far away," Mr Harry W ,tts song," Soldier's Pfe lj,ti Morris; comic song (Qucored), r song, We've got a navy" Pte W.Pan- Pte, W. P,r,T Ll Be. 'ion. song, Forth to the battle," Mr J. L. Williamii; comic song, Pte Ben Jones. A cordial invitation was extended to all who had taken part in the recent war, and all the local men accepted. The toast of the "Host and Hostess" having been drunk, a pleasant meeting was brought to a termination by sillging the National Anthem The dinner was provided througk the generosity of Capt E. W. Kirkby. J